The Corum Admiral 45 Skeleton watch divides opinion, the quality of the movement is there for all to see but the design is more challenging for the more conservative watch collector. This piece has gumption, it is daring both in its architectural overtones, its use of materials and colours. If you are looking for something to break the status quo, Corum are taking the right risks, whilst backing it up with reputable quality and a solid brand history. This is a watch that will make people curious as to the timepiece on your arm!

The Admiral is one of the pillars of Corum’s heritage. Unveiled in 1960, five short years after the brand’s creation, it embodies Corum’s idea of maritime watchmaking. Although it has always been loyal to its artistic fibre, Corum has never been afraid to set sail for distant shores. That’s the case today with the Admiral 45 Squelette, a radical piece that showcases both a nautical design and pure watchmaking mechanics.

The mechanics are now visible for all to see. The particular nature of the movement calls for this approach: it was conceived in house, designed by Corum and made by EMC, its own production entity. Calibre CO 082 features a 42-hour power reserve. Presented in full view, it provides the Admiral with a more energetic look.

The Admiral 45 Squelette is more than just a watch without a dial. Its bridges have all been open worked, then coated with an anthracite grey surface that provides two contrasts. The first is with the movement’s nickel silver gear trains, whose copper colour stands out strikingly from the other components.

The second is with the dominant colours of the Admiral 45 Squelette's different models: turquoise blue, yellow and red. These bright colours are distributed in different places on each version: on the seconds hand, the case, the bracelet and the date. As of today, Corum provides for the possibility of creating customised pieces with combinations of these three different colours, not to mention all the possibilities of coloured bracelets.

The date is not designed in a traditional way. The date disc features numbers that have been enlarged. These Arabic numerals have not been painted or engraved on sapphire discs, as is normally the case with this kind of watchmaking creation. Instead, they have been individually blanked by means of precise electrical discharge machining. This blanking makes it possible to have thin numerals that do not require support and which are geared into position under the flange by means of a transmission system. This aerial architecture accentuates the skeleton effect of the Admiral 45. It also makes it possible to have a less obstructed view of the in-house calibre visible on the lower bridge.

To make it easier to read the large date on this skeleton watch, Corum has placed an aperture with a solid-coloured bottom at 6 o’clock. Its colours further the contrast with the date and also add a modern and sporty touch to the Admiral 45 Squelette. The different colours of this collection - turquoise blue, yellow and red - can be found in this aperture. This skeleton composition features wide Dauphine hour and minute hands, which make their way around the 12 pennants so characteristic of the Admiral collection, engraved under the famous 12-sided bezel. All of this is presented in a grade 5 titanium case 45 mm in diameter and featuring a vulcanised rubber bracelet. Further adding to the nautical aspirations of the Admiral collection, the watch is water resistant to 300 metres.

Sporty chic and energetic, the collection features seven models, each in a limited edition of 288 pieces (three models with a natural titanium case, four with one in matte black PVD).